Valvoline’s operating income for the quarter ended June 30 was $26 million, down 13 percent from the year-ago quarter, attributed to lower lubricant sales volumes and higher raw material costs. Valvoline’s parent Ashland Inc. reported net income of $1.8 billion for the quarter, the third quarter of the companys fiscal year. The results include a $1.5 billion net gain on the sale of Ashlands 38 percent interest in Marathon Ashland Petroleum. Ashlands sale to Marathon of its interest i...

A metalworking fluid system with no sump, no splash, no water, no biocides — maybe even no additives? Researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor have developed a new technique to lubricate, cool and evacuate chips in metalworking operations using a simple, two-component solution of carbon dioxide and vegetable oil. To address the health, safety and environmental issues surrounding conventional metalworking fluids and their disposal, Steven J. Skerlos, assistant professor of mec...

Dial Oil Co., Farmington, N.M., a gasoline, diesel and lubricant distributor, was acquired this month by Giant Industries, Inc. Dial, a supplier of ConocoPhillips and Castrol lubricants, joins Phoenix Fuel, an ExxonMobil and Chevron lubricant distributor, as wholly-owned Giant subsidiaries. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. In addition to lubricants, Dial owns and operates 12 service station/convenience stores, four bulk petroleum distribution plants, 16 cardlock fueling locations and a flee...

Total reported grease production worldwide topped 1.8 billion pounds (822 million kilograms) in 2004,versus 1.69 billion pounds reported in 2003, according to NLGI International. North American grease production increased a hearty 6.4 percent, while in Europe production inched up 1 percent. Lithium greases continue to take market share from calcium, sodium and other metallic soap greases. The latest Grease Production Survey Report from NLGI International, based in Kansas City, Mo., covers calend...